CROCUS. 29 



CROCUS. Crocus. 



Natural Order Ensutce. Irides, Juss. A Genus of 

 the Triandria Monogynia Class. 



Crocus and Smilax may be turn'd to flow'rs, 

 And the Curetes spring from bounteous show'rs ; 

 I pass a hundred legends stale as these, 

 And with sweet novelty your taste will please. 



Ovid, Book 4, Met. 4. 



Fabulous history derives the name of this flower 

 from a beautiful youth named Crocus, who was 

 consumed by the ardency of his love for Smilax ; 

 and afterwards metamorphosed into the plant which 

 still bears his name. Others suppose it to be taken 

 from Coriscus, a city and mountain of Cilicia. I 

 is one of the flowers of which Homer has composed 

 the genial couch of Jove and Juno. 



And sudden Hyacinths the turf bestrow, 

 And flow'ry Crocus made the mountain glow. 



Iliad, Book 4. 

 Say, what impels, amidst surrounding snow 

 Congeal'd, the Crocus' yellow bud to blow? 

 Say, what retards, amidst the summer blaze, 

 Th' autumnal bulb, till pale, declining days ? 

 The God of Seasons — whose pervading power 

 Controls the sun, or sheds the fleecy shower ; 

 He bids each flower his quick'ning word obey, 

 Or to each ling'ring bloom enjoins delay. 



White. 



